Opener hoping he can stay hot after win

by jspasaro

Josh Spasaro
Sports Journalist

I spent four years in country newspapers before taking on a dream role of covering national and international sports news across the entire APN network, in early 2012.
I learnt my trade in Kingaroy, Queanbeyan and Lismore doing it all – design, photography and headline writing.
I am now the envy of all my friends and family members, now that I have the privilege of covering Origin, Bledisloe Cups, footy grand finals and other top international sporting events.
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Jimmy Peirson plays a shot during the Big Bash League match between the Brisbane Heat and the Sydney Thunder at The Gabba. Photo: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images.

BRISBANE Heat opener Jimmy Peirson admitted he had some self-doubt going into his last Big Bash innings.

His side had not won in four games ahead of Sunday night's clash against the Sydney Thunder and the 23-year-old had struggled with the bat, making scores of 10, 29, 10 and one.

But he found his groove with 40 from 36 balls in the six-wicket win which kept the Heat's season alive.

The wicketkeeper said the knock gave him a mental boost ahead of another must-win clash against the first-placed Adelaide Strikers at the Gabba tonight.

"I'd be lying if I said I had no doubts going into it, because I had a couple of poor games in a row," Peirson (pictured) told APN.

"I needed to come out and back myself and I'm proud of the way I did that."

Peirson's opening partner, West Indian Lendl Simmons, had also struggled before hitting 34 against the Thunder. Heat captain Chris Lynn said Simmons hadn't hit a ball all week leading into that game to clear his mind after scoring a pair.

"We were ahead of the game early (against the Thunder)," Lynn said.

"In the other games we've needed 15 per over in the last three overs. Hopefully it (the win over the Thunder) is the start of something special."

Heat batsman Alex Doolan has been cleared to take his place in the squad after he was struck in the groin during pre-game net practice last Sunday.